CN112930455B

CN112930455B - Valve drive device

Info

Publication number: CN112930455B
Application number: CN201980068445.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 矢泽岳彦; 横江悟; 原田隆司
Original assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corp
Current assignee: Nidec Instruments Corp
Priority date: 2018-10-15
Filing date: 2019-07-25
Publication date: 2023-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-25
Also published as: JPWO2020079912A1; DE112019005142T5; CN112930455A; JP7269951B2; WO2020079912A1

Abstract

The invention provides a valve driving device, which can fix a connector by a simple structure and improve the workability of assembly operation. Specifically, the valve drive device includes: a valve body having a rotor that drives the valve body; a stator that rotationally drives the rotor; a connector that supplies power to the stator; a first housing member on which one of the valve body and the stator is disposed; and a second housing member disposed on the other of the valve body and the stator, wherein when the second housing member is attached to the first housing member, the rotor is received in the stator to form a motor, and the connector is sandwiched between the first housing member and the second housing member and fixed to the first housing member and the second housing member.

Description

Valve drive device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a valve driving device that drives a valve that regulates a flow of fluid.

Background

Conventionally, there is a refrigerant valve device for supplying a refrigerant to cool a refrigerator or the like. The refrigerant valve device includes a valve driving device that drives a valve to adjust the amount of refrigerant supplied into a compartment (patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2015-113965

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2004-23831

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problems to be solved by the invention

The valve body driving device described in patent document 1 includes a connector for supplying power to a motor for driving the valve. The valve body driving device includes a lower cover member attached to an external device, a valve body, and an upper cover member covering the valve body. The valve main body is clamped and fixed by mounting the upper cover member on the lower cover member. In the valve body driving device, the connector is mounted on the upper cover member. By attaching the cover member to the upper cover member, the connector is sandwiched between the upper cover member and the cover member and fixed to the upper cover member and the cover member.

However, in the above-described configuration, since the work of attaching the cover member to the upper cover member and fixing the connector is performed after the work of attaching the upper cover member to the lower cover member and fixing the valve main body is performed, there is a problem in that the number of work processes increases and the number of parts increases.

In the stator structure of the motor described in patent document 2, a structure is adopted in which the stator, the circuit board, and the connector are fixed in the housing. In the above-described structure, after the stator, the circuit board, and the connector are arranged in the case, the case is filled with a resin material to fix these structures.

However, in the above-described configuration, even when the sealing by the resin material is not necessary in the use environment of the motor, for example, the sealing resin is required to fix the connector to the housing, and therefore, a complicated resin filling work for the sealing by the resin is required. Further, these operations and the sealing resin cause a problem of an increase in the cost of the motor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a valve driving device capable of fixing a connector with a simple structure and improving workability of an assembling work.

Technical scheme for solving technical problem

In order to solve the above-described problems, a valve driving device according to the present invention includes: a valve body having a rotor driving a valve body; a stator that rotationally drives the rotor; a connector that supplies power to the stator; a first housing member that is disposed on one of the valve main body and the stator; and a second housing member that is disposed on the other of the valve body and the stator, wherein when the second housing member is attached to the first housing member, the rotor is accommodated in the stator to form a motor, and the connector is sandwiched between the first housing member and the second housing member and fixed to the first housing member and the second housing member.

According to this aspect, since only the second housing member is attached to the first housing member, the rotor is housed in the stator to constitute the motor, and the connector is sandwiched between the first housing member and the second housing member and fixed to the first housing member and the second housing member, the fixing operation of the connector is performed simultaneously with the assembling operation of the valve main body, and therefore, the assembling operation of the valve driving device can be improved. Further, since the connector can be fixed only by being sandwiched between the first housing member and the second housing member, the fixing structure of the connector can be simplified.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a connector positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in a state where the connector is attached to the second housing member is formed on the second housing member.

According to this aspect, since the connector positioning portion that defines the position of the connector in a state where the connector is attached to the second housing member is formed in the second housing member, it is not necessary to perform a position adjustment work of the connector when attaching the connector to the second housing member, and workability can be improved.

In the valve drive device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connector positioning portion includes: a first direction positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in a first direction that intersects an axis of the motor; and a pressing portion that presses the connector to the first direction positioning portion.

According to the present aspect, since the connector is pushed to the first-direction positioning portion by the pressing portion when the connector is mounted on the second housing part, whereby the position of the connector in the first direction is defined, the positioning of the connector can be easily performed.

In the valve drive device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connector positioning portion has a second direction positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in a second direction that intersects with an axis of the motor and the first direction.

According to the present aspect, since the connector positioning portion has the second direction positioning portion that defines the position of the connector in the second direction that intersects the axis of the motor and the first direction, the positioning of the connector in the second direction is completed only by mounting the connector on the second housing part, and the positioning of the connector can be easily performed.

In the valve drive device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first housing member has an axial direction positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in an axial direction of the motor.

According to this aspect, since the first housing member has the axial direction positioning portion that defines the position of the connector in the axial direction of the motor, the positioning of the connector in the axial direction is completed only by mounting the second housing member on the first housing member. Therefore, the positioning of the connector can be easily performed, and the workability of the assembling work of the valve driving device can be improved.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connector positioning portion includes: a positioning surface constituting a reference position of positioning of the connector; and an error absorbing portion that presses the connector against the positioning surface and can absorb a dimensional error of the connector.

According to this aspect, the connector positioning portion includes a positioning surface of the connector and an error absorbing portion that presses the connector against the positioning surface and can absorb a dimensional error of the connector. Thus, the connector is positioned in a state of being pressed against the positioning surface, and therefore, the positioning accuracy of the connector is stabilized.

Further, since the error absorbing portion absorbs a dimensional error of the connector, the positioning accuracy is more stable.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first direction positioning portion includes a first direction position defining surface that is the positioning surface, and a first direction pressing portion that is the error absorbing portion.

According to this aspect, the first direction positioning portion includes the first direction position defining surface as the positioning surface and the first direction pressing portion as the error absorbing portion. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the connector in the first direction is stabilized.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second direction positioning portion includes a second direction position limiting surface that is the positioning surface and a second direction pressing portion that is the error absorbing portion.

According to this aspect, the second direction positioning portion includes a second direction position defining surface that is the positioning surface and a second direction pressing portion that is the error absorbing portion. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the connector in the second direction is stabilized.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the axial positioning portion includes an axial position limiting surface serving as the positioning surface, and an axial pressing portion serving as the error absorbing portion.

According to this aspect, the axial direction positioning portion includes an axial direction position restricting surface serving as the positioning surface and an axial direction pressing portion serving as the error absorbing portion. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the connector in the axial direction is stabilized.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the reference position of the connector is in a region where pressing directions of the first direction pressing portion, the second direction pressing portion, and the axial direction pressing portion overlap each other.

According to this aspect, the reference position of the connector is in a region where the pressing directions of each of the first direction pressing portion, the second direction pressing portion, and the axial direction pressing portion overlap. Thereby, the reference position at which the connector is positioned corresponds to the position of one corner portion of the connector. Therefore, the connector is less susceptible to dimensional errors of the connector, and the positioning accuracy of the connector is stabilized.

In the valve drive device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the overlapping region as the reference position is a side where the stator is disposed.

According to this aspect, since the overlapping region as the reference position is the side where the stator is arranged, the positional accuracy of the connector with respect to the stator is stable, and the electrical connection is easily performed.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connector positioning portion and the positioning surface are provided in the second housing member.

According to this aspect, since the connector positioning portion and the positioning surface are provided on the second housing part, the assembly work in which the connector is fixed by being sandwiched between the first housing part and the second housing part becomes easy.

In the valve drive device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first housing member includes at least one or more protruding portions that protrude toward the valve main body attached to the first housing member in an axial direction of the motor, and when the second housing member is attached to the first housing member, the protruding portions contact the valve main body to define a position of the valve main body in the axial direction of the motor.

According to this aspect, since the protruding portion comes into contact with the valve main body when the second housing member is mounted on the first housing member, the position of the valve main body in the axial direction of the motor is defined, so that the positioning of the valve main body in the axial direction with respect to the first housing member and the second housing member can be easily performed.

In the valve drive device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second housing member is provided with a stator position restricting portion that restricts a position of the stator in an axial direction of the motor.

According to this aspect, since the second housing part is provided with the stator position defining portion that defines the position of the stator in the axial direction of the motor, the stator can be assembled to the second housing part in advance, defining the position of the stator. As a result, the state in which the stator is assembled into the second housing member can be made as one unit. In this way, the valve drive device can be assembled without handling a plurality of parts and can be assembled as one part, and therefore the assembly work of the valve drive device can be simplified.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a hooking portion is provided in one of the first housing member and the second housing member, and a hooked portion hooked to the hooking portion is provided in the other of the first housing member and the second housing member.

According to this aspect, since the hooking portion is provided on one of the first housing member and the second housing member and the hooked portion that is hooked to the hooking portion is provided on the other of the first housing member and the second housing member, the second housing member can be attached to the first housing member only by hooking the hooking portion to the hooked portion. Therefore, the valve drive device can be easily assembled.

In the valve drive device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the valve body includes a mounting portion, and the valve drive device is mounted to an external device via the mounting portion.

According to this aspect, the same operational effects as those in the above-described aspects can be obtained.

In the valve driving device according to the present invention, it is preferable that one of a concave portion and a convex portion is formed in the mounting portion, the other of the concave portion and the convex portion is formed in the first housing member, and the valve body is positioned with respect to the first housing member by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion.

The "concave portion" in the present embodiment includes not only a portion formed in a concave shape but also a shape capable of receiving the convex portion, for example, a hole.

According to this aspect, since the valve main body is positioned with respect to the first housing member by forming one of the concave portion and the convex portion in the mounting portion and forming the other of the concave portion and the convex portion in the first housing member and fitting the concave portion and the convex portion, the positioning of the valve main body with respect to the first housing member can be easily performed.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, since only the second housing member is attached to the first housing member, the rotor is accommodated in the stator to constitute the motor, and the connector is sandwiched between the first housing member and the second housing member and fixed to the first housing member and the second housing member, the fixing operation of the connector is performed simultaneously with the assembling operation of the valve main body, and therefore, the assembling operation of the valve driving apparatus can be improved. Further, since the connector can be fixed only by being sandwiched between the first housing member and the second housing member, the fixing structure of the connector can be simplified.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a valve drive device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve drive device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the valve drive device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a valve element drive mechanism in the valve drive device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an upper unit in the valve drive device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the second housing part according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of a positioning portion in the second housing part according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the second housing member according to the first embodiment in a state where the connector is attached.

Fig. 9 (a) is a perspective view showing the terminal side of the connector according to the first embodiment, and fig. 9 (B) is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the connector.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the first housing member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the first housing member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a lower unit in the valve drive device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector is clamped and fixed by the first housing member and the second housing member in the valve driving device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a main part perspective view of a second housing part according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a main part of the second housing part according to the second embodiment viewed from another direction.

Fig. 16 is a main part perspective view in which a connector is partially cut away in a state in which the connector is attached to the second housing member according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector is clamped and fixed by a first housing member and a second housing member in the valve driving device according to the second embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

2 8230a slant face;

3 8230a slant face;

5 8230and an anti-rotation part;

7 \ 8230and a receiving part;

10 \ 8230a valve driving device;

12 a valve body;

14 \ 8230and an inflow pipe;

14a 8230, end part;

16 \ 8230and a first outflow pipe;

18 \ 8230and a second outflow pipe;

20 a third outflow pipe;

22 \ 8230and a mounting plate;

22a 8230and a valve body mounting part;

22b 8230and an external mounting part;

22c 8230and positioning holes;

22d 8230and a clamping part;

24 \ 8230a first housing part;

24a \8230avalve main body unit mounting part;

24b 8230and a connector accommodating part;

24c 8230and a valve body mounting surface;

24d 8230and an inflow pipe guide part;

24e 823060, an outflow tube guide part;

24f 8230a protrusion;

24g 8230and mounting plate mounting surface;

24h 823060, convex part;

24j 823060 and a hanging part;

24 k\8230anda position limiting part;

24m 8230, an opening part;

24n 8230and an axial pressing part;

26 8230a second housing member;

26a 8230and a stator accommodating part;

26b 8230and connector positioning part;

26c 8230and upper part;

26d 8230a convex part;

26e 8230, a stator position limiting part;

26f 8230and a first direction positioning part;

26g of 8230a first direction pressing part;

26h 8230and a second direction positioning part;

26j \8230, a first direction position limiting surface;

26k 8230a connector support surface (axial direction position defining surface);

26m 8230and a hung part;

26p 8230and a locating surface;

26q 8230and a second direction pressing part;

26r 8230and a second direction position limiting surface;

26s 8230and an error absorption part;

28 \ 8230connector;

28a 8230and legs;

28b 8230and plug connection;

30 \ 8230and stator;

32 \ 8230a valve body unit;

34, 8230and a lower component;

36, 8230and an upper component;

38 8230a base station;

38a 8230and an upper surface;

38b 8230and a bearing part;

40 \ 8230and a sealing cover;

40a 8230and a bearing part;

42 \ 8230and rotor;

44 8230and a valve body driving mechanism;

46 \ 8230and valve body;

48\8230valvechamber;

50 8230and the valve seat is a component;

52 \ 8230and motor;

52a \8230amotor terminal;

54 8230a core component;

56, 8230a driving coil;

60 \ 8230a connector terminal;

62 \ 8230and a drive magnet;

64 \ 8230and a driving side gear;

66 \ 8230and fulcrum;

68 8230and driven side gear;

70 \ 8230and fulcrum;

264 \8230andaxial positioning part.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, in each embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the components will be omitted in the following embodiments.

< < brief summary of valve Driving device > >)

A valve drive device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 4 using a first embodiment and a second embodiment.

As an example, the valve driving device 10 is installed in a refrigerator, and adjusts the amount of refrigerant (fluid) supplied for cooling in the refrigerator. The valve drive device 10 includes a valve main body 12 (fig. 2), an inlet pipe 14 extending from the valve main body 12, a first outlet pipe 16, a second outlet pipe 18, and a third outlet pipe 20 extending parallel to the inlet pipe 14, an attachment plate 22 to which the valve main body 12 is attached, a first housing member 24 to which the valve main body 12 and the attachment plate 22 are attached, a second housing member 26 covering an upper portion of the valve main body 12, a connector 28, and a stator 30.

For convenience, the following description will be made with the directions of extension of the inflow pipe 14, the first outflow pipe 16, the second outflow pipe 18, and the third outflow pipe 20, and the axial direction of the motor 52 described later as the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the valve main body 12 as the upper side (+ Z direction), and the inflow pipe 14, the first outflow pipe 16, and the second outflow pipe 18 as the lower side (-Z direction). In the present embodiment, the Y-axis direction is set as the first direction, and the X-axis direction is set as the second direction.

As shown in fig. 2, the valve drive device 10 is roughly constituted in three units. The inflow pipe 14, the first outflow pipe 16, the second outflow pipe 18, the third outflow pipe 20, and the mounting plate 22 are attached to the valve main body 12, and constitute a valve main body unit 32. As shown in fig. 12, the valve body unit 32 is mounted on the first housing member 24 to constitute a lower assembly 34.

In fig. 2 and 5, the connector 28 and the stator 30 are assembled to the second housing member 26 to form an upper unit 36.

As shown in fig. 3, the valve driving device 10 is constructed by mounting an upper assembly 36 on a lower assembly 34. The valve main body 12 includes a base 38, a seal cover 40, a rotor 42, a valve drive mechanism 44, and a valve 46. The submount 38 has an upper surface 38a. An inflow pipe 14, a first outflow pipe 16, a second outflow pipe 18, and a third outflow pipe 20 are attached to the base 38. A seal cover 40 is attached to an upper surface 38a of the base 38, and a space surrounded by the base 38 and the seal cover 40 forms a valve chamber 48.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the end 14a of the inflow pipe 14 is attached to the base 38. In the present embodiment, the end portion 14a of the inflow pipe 14 is configured to communicate with the valve chamber 48. Thereby, the refrigerant (fluid) is supplied from the inflow pipe 14 into the valve chamber 48.

On the other hand, a valve seat component 50 (fig. 3 and 4) is attached to the base 38. The valve seat constituting member 50 is provided with a first outflow pipe 16, a second outflow pipe 18, and a third outflow pipe 20. The first outflow pipe 16, the second outflow pipe 18, and the third outflow pipe 20 attached to the valve seat constituting member 50 communicate with the valve chamber 48, respectively. Therefore, the refrigerant (fluid) that has flowed into the valve chamber 48 from the inflow pipe 14 flows out from at least one of the first outflow pipe 16, the second outflow pipe 18, and the third outflow pipe 20.

< < < about electric Motor > >)

In the present embodiment, the stator 30 and the rotor 42 constitute a motor 52. The stator 30 is configured to sandwich the seal cover 40 around the rotor 42. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the stator 30 includes a core member 54. A coil is wound around the core member 54 of the stator 30 as a driving coil 56. One end of the driving coil 56 (winding) wound around the stator 30 is connected to one end of the motor terminal 52a (fig. 5).

In the present embodiment, the motor terminal 52a is electrically connected to a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) 58. A connector terminal 60 of the connector 28 is electrically connected to a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) 58. In the present embodiment, a plug of a cable, not shown, can be connected to the connector 28, and power can be supplied via the cable. As a result, power is supplied to the stator 30 via the connector 28, the flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 58, and the motor terminal 52 a.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the rotor 42 includes a drive magnet 62, a drive-side gear 64, and a support shaft 66. The drive-side gear 64 and the drive magnet 62 are mounted on the support shaft 66 so as to be rotatable with respect to the support shaft 66. The drive magnet 62 is mounted on the drive side gear 64. The upper end of the support shaft 66 is supported by a bearing portion 40a formed in the seal cover 40, and the lower end of the support shaft 66 is supported by a bearing portion 38b formed in the base 38. In the present embodiment, when the stator 30 (driving coil 56) is excited, the rotor 42 is configured to rotate within the valve chamber 48 about the support shaft 66 by the driving magnet 62.

< < about valve body drive mechanism > > >

The valve body drive mechanism 44 includes a driven gear 68, a valve body 46, and a support shaft 70. The driven-side gear 68 and the valve body 46 are mounted on a support shaft 70 so as to be rotatable with respect to the support shaft 70. In the present embodiment, the valve body 46 is configured to rotate together with the driven gear 68. The driven side gear 68 meshes with the driving side gear 64. That is, when the rotor 42 is rotationally driven, the driven side gear 68 that meshes with the driving side gear 64 is rotated, and the valve body 46 is also rotated.

In the present embodiment, the valve body 46 is configured to be capable of adjusting the amount of refrigerant (fluid) supplied to the first, second, and

third outflow pipes

16, 18, and 20 when rotated about the support shaft 70. Specifically, when the valve body 46 is located at several positions around the support shaft 70, the amounts of the refrigerant (fluid) supplied to the first outlet pipe 16, the second outlet pipe 18, and the third outlet pipe 20 are changed according to the positions.

[ first embodiment ]

< < < about the second housing part > >)

The second housing part 26 of the first embodiment is explained based on fig. 5 to 8. Further, the first housing part 24 will be described later. As shown in fig. 6 to 8, the second housing member 26 includes a stator housing portion 26a and a connector positioning portion 26b. In the present embodiment, the stator housing 26a is formed in a cylindrical shape and opens in the-Z direction.

A plurality of protrusions 26d protruding in the-Z direction are arranged at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction on the upper portion 26c of the stator housing portion 26 a. On the other hand, a plurality of stator position defining portions 26e are provided at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the stator housing portion 26 a.

The stator position regulation portion 26e is formed as an inclined surface that projects toward the radial center and faces the upper portion 26c in the inner peripheral surface of the stator housing portion 26 a. That is, in a state where the stator 30 is mounted in the stator housing portion 26a, the stator position regulating portion 26e engages with the stator 30, and functions as a drop preventing portion that prevents the stator 30 from dropping out of the stator housing portion 26 a.

When the stator 30 is mounted on the stator housing portion 26a, the plurality of protrusions 26d press the upper surface of the stator 30 toward the-Z direction side. Thereby, the stator 30 is pressed against the stator position regulation portion 26e, and the position in the Z-axis direction, which is the axial direction of the motor 52, is regulated.

In fig. 6 to 8, as an example, the connector positioning portion 26b is configured to protrude from the cylindrical stator housing portion 26a in the-Y axis direction side. As an example, the connector positioning portion 26b is formed in a box shape that opens in the-Z direction. A part of the connector 28 can be accommodated in the connector positioning portion 26b.

In the present embodiment, the connector positioning portion 26b includes the first direction positioning portion 26f and the second direction positioning portion 26h. As an example, the first direction positioning portion 26f is disposed on the + Y direction side, i.e., the stator housing portion 26a side, in the connector positioning portion 26b, and is formed at two locations with an interval in the X axis direction. As shown in fig. 7, the first direction positioning portion 26f is constituted by a pair of first direction position defining surfaces 26j and a first direction pressing portion 26g. The first direction pressing portions 26g are provided on the-Y direction side in the connector positioning portion 26b, and are formed at two locations at intervals in the X axis direction so as to face the first direction position defining surfaces 26j. A connector support surface 26k is provided continuously on the first direction position defining surface 26j of the first direction positioning portion 26f, the connector support surface 26k being formed by surfaces along both the first direction (Y direction) and the second direction (X direction).

Here, referring to fig. 9, the connector 28 of the present embodiment is formed in a box shape with one side opened. At the bottom of the connector 28, legs 28a are provided at four corners, as an example. The connector 28 is opened at the upper portion thereof to form a plug connecting portion 28b. A plurality of connector terminals 60 are arranged in the plug connecting portion 28b.

As shown in fig. 7, when the connector 28 is mounted on the connector positioning portion 26b, two of the four leg portions 28a provided at the bottom of the connector 28 are supported by the first direction position defining surface 26j of the first direction positioning portion 26f and also abut against the connector supporting surface 26k. Here, the connector support surface 26k also serves as a constituent element of an axial positioning portion 264 to be described later.

Here, when the connector 28 is mounted to the connector positioning portion 26b, the first direction pressing portion 26g presses the connector 28 toward the + Y direction side, that is, the first direction position defining surface 26j. In the present embodiment, when the connector 28 is mounted on the connector positioning portion 26b, a part of the connector 28, specifically, the leg portion 28a and a part of the first direction pressing portion 26g interfere with each other in the Y axis direction, and a part of the first direction pressing portion 26g elastically deforms in the-Y axis direction to generate an elastic force, thereby pressing the connector 28 in the + Y axis direction. Thereby, the connector 28 is pushed to the first direction position defining face 26j, and the position of the connector 28 in the Y-axis direction (first direction) is defined.

As shown in fig. 8, the second direction positioners 26h are arranged so as to face each other within the connector positioners 26b. As one example, a pair of second-direction positioning portions 26h are formed to protrude toward the + X-axis direction or the-X-axis direction, respectively, so that the width of the connector positioning portion 26b in the X-axis direction is narrowed.

In the present embodiment, when the connector 28 is mounted in the connector positioning portion 26b, the pair of second-direction positioning portions 26h are in contact with both side surfaces of the connector 28 in the X-axis direction, respectively. Thereby, the connector 28 is restricted in displacement in the X-axis direction by the pair of second direction positioning portions 26h. Therefore, the pair of second-direction positioning portions 26h define the position of the connector 28 in the X-axis direction (second direction).

In fig. 5, 6, and 8, as an example, a plurality of hooked portions 26m are formed on the outer periphery of the second housing member 26. In the present embodiment, a pair of hooked portions 26m are provided at positions facing each other on the outer peripheral surface of the stator housing portion 26a, and three hooked portions 26m are provided so as to surround the connector positioning portion 26b. In the present embodiment, the hooked portion 26m is formed in a hook shape as an example.

< < < about the first housing part > >)

In fig. 10 to 13, the first housing part 24 will be explained. The first housing member 24 includes a valve body unit mounting portion 24a and a connector housing portion 24b. The valve body unit mounting portion 24a includes a valve body mounting surface 24c, an inflow tube guide portion 24d, an outflow tube guide portion 24e, a plurality of protrusions 24f, a mounting plate mounting surface 24g, a projection 24h, and a hooking portion 24j.

The valve body attachment surface 24c is provided with an inflow pipe guide portion 24d, an outflow pipe guide portion 24e, and a plurality of projections 24f. In the present embodiment, the inflow tube guide portion 24d is extended in the-Z direction from the valve body attachment surface 24c and is formed in a funnel shape, as an example. When the valve body unit 32 is attached to the valve body attachment surface 24c, the inflow tube 14 is inserted into the inflow tube guide portion 24d, and the-Z direction side end portion of the inflow tube 14 protrudes from the inflow tube guide portion 24d (fig. 1, 3, and 13). Further, a circle of a two-dot chain line denoted by reference numeral 14 in fig. 11 indicates a cross section of the inflow pipe 14 disposed in the inflow pipe guide portion 24 d.

For example, the outflow pipe guide 24e is formed in a funnel shape extending from the valve body attachment surface 24c in the-Z direction. When the valve body unit 32 is attached to the valve body attachment surface 24c, the first, second, and

third outlet pipes

16, 18, and 20 are inserted into the outlet pipe guide 24e, and the-Z-axis direction side ends of the first, second, and

third outlet pipes

16, 18, and 20 protrude from the outlet pipe guide 24e (fig. 1, 3, and 13). In fig. 11, the two-dot chain lines denoted by

reference numerals

16, 18, and 20 indicate cross sections of the first, second, and

third outlet pipes

16, 18, and 20 arranged in the outlet pipe guide 24 e.

In the present embodiment, position regulating portions 24k (fig. 11) projecting toward the radial center are provided at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction in the outflow pipe guide portion 24 e. In the present embodiment, three positions of the position regulating portion 24k are formed, and the position regulating portion 24k is disposed between the first outflow pipe 16 and the second outflow pipe 18, between the second outflow pipe 18 and the third outflow pipe 20, and between the first outflow pipe 16 and the third outflow pipe 20.

Thus, the mutual positions of the first outlet pipe 16, the second outlet pipe 18, and the third outlet pipe 20 are defined by the position restricting portions 24 k. As a result, for example, the first, second, and

third outflow pipes

16, 18, and 20 can be prevented from being twisted in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction in fig. 11 within the outflow pipe guide 24 e.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of projections 24f are provided on the valve body attachment surface 24c at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction. For example, the protrusion 24f is formed to protrude in the + Z direction from the valve body attachment surface 24 c. When the valve body unit 32 is mounted on the valve body mounting surface 24c, the plurality of projections 24f contact a base 38 constituting the bottom of the valve body unit 32, and support the valve body unit 32. Thus, the plurality of projections 24f define the position of the valve main body unit 32 in the Z-axis direction.

An attachment plate attachment surface 24g is formed around the valve body attachment surface 24 c. On the mounting plate mounting surface 24g, at the end on the + Y axis direction side, convex portions 24h are provided at intervals in the X axis direction. The projection 24h is configured to project from the attachment plate attachment surface 24g in the + Z axis direction.

As shown in fig. 12, the mounting plate 22 is formed by bending a plate material so as to have an L-shape when viewed from the side. Specifically, the mounting plate 22 includes a valve body mounting portion 22a and an external mounting portion 22b. As an example of the "concave portion", a positioning hole 22c is formed in the valve body mounting portion 22a so as to correspond to the convex portion 24h of the first housing member 24. For example, the external attachment portion 22b is provided with a plurality of engaging portions 22d. In the present embodiment, the valve drive device 10 can be attached to an external device, not shown, by attaching a fastening member, not shown, such as a screw or a bolt, to the engaging portion 22d.

When the valve body unit 32 is mounted on the first housing member 24, the valve body mounting portion 22a of the mounting plate 22 mounted on the valve body 12 is mounted on the mounting plate mounting surface 24g. At this time, the projection 24h formed on the attachment plate attachment surface 24g is fitted into the positioning hole 22c formed in the valve body attachment portion 22a, and the position of the attachment plate 22, and thus the valve body unit 32, in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined with respect to the first housing member 24. Further, the projection 24h is fitted into the positioning hole 22c, whereby the rotation of the valve body unit 32 with respect to the first housing member 24 is regulated.

In the present embodiment, the hooking portion 24j is configured to be engageable with the hook-shaped hooked portion 26m of the second housing member 26. For example, in a state where the valve body unit 32 is attached to the second housing member 26, the hooking portions 24j are formed at both ends of the second housing member 26 in the X axis direction and at positions facing each other across the valve body unit 32 in the X axis direction.

The first housing member 24 is provided with a connector housing portion 24b projecting from the body unit mounting portion 24a in the-Y axis direction. In the present embodiment, the connector housing portion 24b is formed as a concave portion that is concave in the-Z direction, as an example. The connector housing 24b is configured to be able to house a part of the connector 28. In the present embodiment, an opening 24m for inserting a plug of an unillustrated cable into the connector terminal 60 of the connector 28 is formed at the-Z direction side end portion of the connector housing portion 24b.

In addition, axial direction pressing portions 24n for the axial direction positioning portions 264 of the connector 28 are formed on both sides of the opening portion 24m in the X-axis direction. The axial direction is the Z-axis direction. As shown in fig. 13, when the second housing member 26 has been mounted on the first housing member 24, the plug connecting portion 28b of the connector 28 is exposed to the outside of the valve drive apparatus 10 via the opening portion 24 m. In addition, when the second housing member 26 has been mounted on the first housing member 24, a part of the upper portion of the connector 28 is in contact with the axial direction pressing portion 24n. By the contact of the axial direction pressing part 24n, the leg part 28a of the connector 28 is pressed to the connector bearing surface 26k.

Thus, the position of the connector 28 in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the motor 52 is defined by the axial direction pressing part 24n and the connector support surface 26k. In the present embodiment, the axial positioning portion 264 is constituted by the axial pressing portion 24n and the connector support surface 26k.

In the present embodiment, a hooking portion 24j is formed outside the connector housing portion 24b so as to surround the connector housing portion 24b. In the present embodiment, as an example, the hooking portion 24j surrounding the connector housing portion 24b is provided so as to correspond to the hooked portion 26m provided around the connector positioning portion 26b of the second housing member 26.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 13, when the second housing member 26 is mounted on the first housing member 24, the plurality of hooking portions 24j surrounding the connector receiving portion 24b are engaged with the plurality of hooked portions 26m surrounding the connector positioning portion 26b of the second housing member 26, respectively, and hooked.

In the present embodiment, since the plurality of pairs of the hooking portions 24j and the hooked portions 26m are provided so as to surround the connector positioning portion 26b and the connector housing portion 24b, the connector 28 can be firmly fixed to the valve driving device 10. As a result, even if the connector 28 is repeatedly inserted and removed from the cable plug, not shown, the connector 28 can be prevented from being displaced or detached from the valve driving device 10.

In the present embodiment, in the valve driving device 10, the valve main unit 32 is attached to the first housing member 24 to constitute a lower unit 34 (fig. 12). The stator 30 and the connector 28 are attached to the second housing member 26 to form an upper unit 36 (fig. 2 and 5). The upper assembly 36 is then mounted to the lower assembly 34 to form the valve actuator 10.

In the present embodiment, when the upper unit 36 is attached to the lower unit 34, only the hooked portion 26m is hooked to the hooking portion 24j, and therefore, the assembly property is good. Further, the rotor 42 of the valve main unit 32 can be accommodated in the stator 30 to constitute the motor 52 only by mounting the upper unit 36 to the lower unit 34. Further, since the connector 28 is held and fixed by the lower block 34 and the upper block 36, the fixing structure of the connector 28 can be simplified, the work process for fixing the connector 28 can be simplified, and the workability can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the valve drive device 10 is provided with an attachment plate 22. Further, since the external attachment portion 22b is formed on the attachment plate 22, the valve drive device 10 can be easily attached to an external device by a fastening member such as a screw.

[ second embodiment ]

A second housing member 26 and a first housing member 24 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 14 to 17.

In the present embodiment, the connector positioning portion 26b includes: a positioning surface 26p that constitutes a reference position for positioning of the connector 28; and an error absorbing portion 26s that presses the connector 28 against the positioning surface 26p and can absorb a dimensional error of the connector 28. Here, the connector positioning portion 26b includes three positioning portions, that is, a first direction positioning portion 26f, a second direction positioning portion 26h, and an axial direction positioning portion 264.

< first Direction locating section >

Specifically, as shown in fig. 14, 15, and 16, the first direction positioning portion 26f includes a first direction position defining surface 26j as a positioning surface 26p with respect to the first direction (Y direction), and a first direction pressing portion 26g as an error absorbing portion 26s.

The first direction position defining face 26j is formed by integral molding with the second housing member 26 made of resin, and a portion in contact with the leg portion 28a of the connector 28 is formed by two flat faces at two places. On the other hand, the first direction pressing portions 26g are also formed in two by being integrally molded with the second housing member 26 made of resin, but the portions that contact the connectors 28 are rail-shaped extending in the Z direction and formed into convex curved surfaces.

When the connector 28 is inserted and attached to the connector positioning portion 26b in the Z direction, the two first direction pressing portions 26g are elastically deformed based on the shape thereof, and the connector 28 is pressed against the first direction position defining surface 26j as the positioning surface 26p by the repulsive force thereof. Thereby, the connector 28 is positioned with the first direction position defining surface 26j as a reference position in the connector positioning portion 26b.

Here, reference numeral 2 is an inclined surface, and the inclined surface 2 is formed at each front end of the first direction pressing portion 26g, and receives and guides the insertion of the connector 28 in the Z direction.

In fig. 16, reference numeral 5 is a rotation preventing portion, and the rotation preventing portion 5 is provided integrally with one of the leg portions 28a of the connector 28 in a state of protruding more than the leg portion 28a in the Z direction. The second housing member 26 is provided with a receiving portion 7 at a position corresponding to the rotation preventing portion 5. The rotation preventing portion 5 of the connector 28 is supported by the receiving portion 7 of the second housing member 26, so that the stability of the connector 28 in the mounted state can be improved.

< second Direction locating section >

As shown in fig. 14, 15, and 16, the second direction positioning portion 26h includes a second direction position defining surface 26r as a positioning surface 26p with respect to the second direction (X direction), and a second direction pressing portion 26q as an error absorbing portion 26s.

The second-direction position defining face 26r is formed by being integrally molded with the second housing member 26 made of resin, and a portion in contact with the side face of the connector 28 is formed by two flat faces at two places. On the other hand, the second-direction pressing portion 26q is also formed as one piece by being integrally molded with the second housing member 26 made of resin, but a portion in contact with the connector 28 is formed into a rail shape (fig. 15) long in the Z direction and is formed into a convex curved surface.

When the connector 28 is inserted and mounted in the connector positioning portion 26b in the Z direction, one second-direction pressing portion 26q is elastically deformed based on its shape, and presses the connector 28 with its repulsive force to two second-direction position defining surfaces 26r as positioning surfaces 26 p. Thereby, the connector 28 is positioned with the second direction position defining surface 26r as a reference position.

Here, reference numeral 3 denotes an inclined surface, and the inclined surface 3 is formed at the respective distal ends of the second-direction position defining surface 26r and the second-direction pressing portion 26q, and receives and guides the insertion of the connector 28 in the Z direction.

< axial positioning section >

As shown in fig. 14 to 17, the axial positioning portion 264 includes an axial position defining surface 26k as a positioning surface 26p with respect to the axial direction (Z direction), and an axial pressing portion 24n as an error absorbing portion 26s. Here, as described above, the axial direction position limiting surface 26k also serves as the connector support surface 26k, and therefore the same reference numerals are used.

The axial direction position defining surface 26k is formed in a state of being connected to the first direction position defining surface 26j by being integrally molded with the second housing member 26 made of resin, and a portion in contact with the end surface of the leg portion 28a of the connector 28 is formed of four flat surfaces at four places.

On the other hand, four axial direction pressing portions 24n are provided by being integrally molded with the first housing member 24 made of resin. As shown in fig. 16 and 17, the four axial direction pressing portions 24n are formed as small projections at positions corresponding to four corners of the end surface on the opposite side of the leg portion 28a of the connector 28. Only one of the four axial direction pressing portions 24n is visible in fig. 17.

When the connector 28 is mounted on the connector positioning portion 26b, that is, when the connector 28 is sandwiched between the first housing member 24 and the second housing member 26 and fixed with respect to the first housing member 24 and the second housing member 26, the four axial direction pressing portions 24n are elastically deformed based on the shape thereof, and press the connector 28 to the two axial direction position defining surfaces 26k as the positioning surfaces 26p by the repulsive force thereof. Thereby, the connector 28 is positioned with the axial direction pressing portion 24n as a reference position.

In the present embodiment, the connector positioning portion 26b includes three positioning portions, i.e., the first direction positioning portion 26f, the second direction positioning portion 26h, and the axial direction positioning portion 264. Thus, the reference position at the time of positioning the connector 28 is located in a region where the pressing directions of the first direction pressing portion 26g, the second direction pressing portion 26q, and the axial direction pressing portion 24n overlap. In other words, the reference position at which the connector 28 is positioned corresponds to the position of one corner of the connector 28.

In the present embodiment, the overlapping region as the reference position is a side where the stator 30 is disposed. In addition, the connector positioning portion 26b and the positioning surface 26p are provided on the second housing member 26.

< description of the operational effects of the second embodiment >

(1) According to the present embodiment, the connector positioning portion 26b includes the positioning surface 26p of the connector 28 and the error absorbing portion 26s that presses the connector 28 against the positioning surface 26p and can absorb dimensional errors of the connector 28. This positions the connector 28 in a state of being pressed against the positioning surface 26p, and therefore the positioning accuracy of the connector 28 is stabilized. Further, since the error absorbing portion 26s absorbs the dimensional error of the connector 28, the positioning accuracy is more stable.

(2) In the present embodiment, the first direction positioning portion 26f includes the first direction position defining surface 26j as the positioning surface 26p and the first direction pressing portion 26g as the error absorbing portion 26s. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the connector 28 in the first direction is stabilized.

(3) In the present embodiment, the second direction positioning portion 26h includes a second direction position defining surface 26r serving as a positioning surface 26p and a second direction pressing portion 26q serving as an error absorbing portion 26s. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the connector 28 in the second direction is stabilized.

(4) In the present embodiment, the axial positioning portion 264 includes the axial position limiting surface 26k as the positioning surface 26p and the axial pressing portion 24n as the error absorbing portion 26s. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the connector 28 in the axial direction is stabilized.

(5) In the present embodiment, the reference position of the connector 28 is located in a region where the pressing directions of the first direction pressing portion 26g, the second direction pressing portion 26q, and the axial direction pressing portion 24n overlap. Thereby, the reference position at which the connector 28 is positioned corresponds to the position of one corner of the connector 28. Therefore, the connector 28 is less susceptible to dimensional errors, and the positioning accuracy of the connector 28 is stabilized.

(6) In the present embodiment, since the overlapping region as the reference position is the side where the stator 30 is disposed, the positional accuracy of the connector 28 with respect to the stator 30 is stabilized, and the electrical connection is facilitated.

(7) In addition, in the present embodiment, since the connector positioning portion 26b and the positioning surface 26p are provided on the second housing member 26, the assembling work of clamping and fixing the connector 28 between the first housing member 24 and the second housing member 26 becomes easy.

< modification of embodiment > > <

(1) In the present embodiment, the hooking portion 24j is provided in the first housing member 24, and the hooked portion 26m is provided in the second housing member 26, but instead of the above configuration, the hooked portion may be provided in the first housing member and the hooking portion may be provided in the second housing member.

(2) In the present embodiment, the first direction positioning portion 26f is provided on the + Y direction side, i.e., the stator housing portion 26a side, and the first direction pressing portion 26g is provided on the-Y direction side in the connector positioning portion 26b, but instead of this configuration, a configuration may be provided in which the first direction pressing portion 26g is provided on the + Y direction side, i.e., the stator housing portion 26a side, and the first direction positioning portion 26f is provided on the-Y direction side.

(3) In the present embodiment, the connector 28 is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and the plurality of connector terminals 60 are arranged side by side as an example, but the shape of the connector 28, the number, arrangement, and the like of the connector terminals 60 may be appropriately changed.

(4) In the above embodiment, the structure in which the connector positioning portion 26b is formed on the second housing member 26 has been described, but a structure in which the connector positioning portion 26b is formed on the first housing member may be employed.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these modifications are also included in the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A valve driving device is characterized by comprising:

a valve body having a rotor driving a valve body;

a stator that rotationally drives the rotor;

a connector that supplies power to the stator;

a first housing member that disposes one of the valve main body and the stator;

a second housing member that configures the other of the valve main body and the stator,

the rotor is received within the stator to constitute a motor when the second housing member is mounted on the first housing member, and the connector is sandwiched between and fixed relative to the first and second housing members,

a connector positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in a state where the connector is mounted on the first housing member or the second housing member is formed on the first housing member or the second housing member.

2. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 1,

the connector positioning part is provided with

A first direction positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in a first direction that intersects an axis of the motor.

3. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 2,

the connector positioning portion has a second direction positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in a second direction that intersects an axis of the motor and the first direction.

4. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 3,

there is an axial direction positioning portion that defines a position of the connector in an axial direction of the motor.

5. The valve driving device according to claim 4,

the connector positioning portion includes:

a positioning surface forming a reference position of positioning of the connector; and

an error absorbing portion that presses the connector against the positioning surface and is capable of absorbing a dimensional error of the connector.

6. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 5,

the first direction positioning section includes:

a first direction position defining surface as the positioning surface and

a first direction pressing portion as the error absorbing portion.

7. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 6,

the second direction positioning portion includes:

a second direction position defining surface as the positioning surface and

a second direction pressing portion as the error absorbing portion.

8. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 6,

the axis direction positioning portion includes:

an axial direction position defining surface as the positioning surface and

an axial direction pressing portion as the error absorbing portion.

9. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 8,

the reference position of the connector is in a region where pressing directions of the first direction pressing portion, the second direction pressing portion, and the axial direction pressing portion overlap.

10. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 9,

the overlapping region as the reference position is a side where the stator is disposed.

11. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 5,

the connector positioning portion and the positioning surface are provided on the second housing part.

12. The valve driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

the first housing member includes at least one or more protruding portions that protrude toward the valve main body attached to the first housing member in an axial direction of the motor,

the projection is in contact with the valve body when the second housing member is mounted on the first housing member, defining a position of the valve body in an axial direction of the motor.

13. The valve driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

a stator position defining portion that defines a position of the stator in an axial direction of the motor is provided on the second housing part.

14. The valve drive apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

a locking portion is provided on one of the first housing member and the second housing member, and a locked portion that is locked by the locking portion is provided on the other of the first housing member and the second housing member.

15. The valve drive apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

the valve main body is provided with a mounting part,

the valve driving device is mounted on an external device via the mounting portion.

16. The valve drive apparatus according to claim 15,

the valve body is positioned with respect to the first housing member by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion.